D. Saková: Slovakia has the knowledge and infrastructure to become a hub for implementing innovative nuclear technologies crucial for the entire EU.
On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic, Denisa Saková, paid a working visit to the Italian Republic. In Rome, she met with the Italian Minister for the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, to discuss strengthening energy security in both countries, expanding cooperation in nuclear energy, and advancing the energy transformation of industry. The bilateral meeting took place during the official visit of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to Italy and his meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Both leaders, along with Minister Denisa Saková, attended the signing of the shareholder agreement to establish a joint Slovak-Italian company called the Center for Spent Nuclear Fuel Utilization Development (CVP), a.s. This company will focus on developing and deploying an advanced modular reactor cooled by liquid lead, capable of repeatedly reusing spent nuclear fuel.
“We have the know-how and infrastructure to become a center for developing and deploying these technologies, which are crucial for the entire European Union. The issue of nuclear fuel development and distribution will also be one of the key questions of the future, especially considering the negative consequences of the EU's proposed plan to end imports of energy resources from the Russian Federation,” said Minister of Economy Denisa Saková.
CVP is a joint project between the Italian research and development company newcleo and Slovak partners VUJE and the Nuclear and Decommissioning Company (JAVYS), which is wholly owned by the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic. With Slovakia holding a 51% stake in CVP through JAVYS, the company will focus on developing and deploying innovative fourth-generation modular reactors (AMRs) in Slovakia. The first phase of the project—a feasibility study—is being fully funded by newcleo.
The signing of the agreement to establish the newcleo – VUJE – JAVYS joint venture comes at a time when Italy has officially included nuclear energy in its national energy strategy for the years 2030 to 2050, after a 35-year hiatus.
“Not only has the Italian government recognized what Slovakia has long emphasized—that the green transition and decarbonization must not come at the cost of European competitiveness. Thanks to our nuclear power plants, Slovakia ranks among the countries with one of the cleanest energy mixes in the world. In addition, with our extensive expertise in decommissioning nuclear facilities and handling spent fuel and radioactive waste, JAVYS is ready to share its experience in helping prepare Italy’s national repository,” concluded Minister Saková.
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in Rome also renewed the partnership between Slovenský plynárenský priemysel (SPP) and the Italian energy company Snam. The original agreement was signed during the official visit of Italian President Sergio Mattarella to Bratislava in April 2023. The document aims to deepen cooperation in the field of energy.
Press Department of MoE SR